Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week.
It’s been a quieter week but I’ve still been working on lots of exciting projects with more information being shared soon.
I was delighted to add the second part to Rachel Turney’s feature which included poems from her latest book and a banging dance music playlist to accompany Retired Wannabe Club Kid. Catch up here.
I submitted a couple of poems and had both accepted which was an excellent feeling as this one was a poem I worked on at Write Here, Right Now Writing Group.
Saturday night we had our annual Sangria and Tapas Eurovision party. No bingo card this year.
At the allotment, more radishes have been harvested, tomatoes have been planted into their final spots and it looks like we may get some currants and berries this summer. The broad beans are I’ll probably use them in a jam maybe or a compote. It’s not all been plain sailing, our sunflowers have again been decimated by snails.
On top of that, I’ve been reading;
Chasms
- Poet: Carmella de Keyser
- Press: Alien Buddha Press
Yes, we have a returning poet this week in The Book Bag. As soon as I knew Carmella’s latest pamphlet Chasms was coming out, I wanted to read it. And I am so glad I have.
The title of the book announces the main theme of the poems within as readers tread the gaps between past and present, dark and light. This is terrifically done in one of my favourite pieces, ‘Nana’s Card Games’, a poem that uses sensory detail to great effect. ‘Chasms’ opens the collection with defiance and a step into light.
Carmella’s trademark emotionally connecting poetry is evident throughout. The authenticity of pieces including the harrowing ‘Have You Forgotten’ and ‘Mother’s Violin’ is incredibly captivating and thoughtful.
Again, Carmella’s use of imagery creates vivid scenery that draws and grounds readers. The poems including ‘Neighbourhood Eclipse’ and ‘A Sapling’s Testimony’ give the reader immersion in sight, sound, smell, touch and the emotional state.
Those readers with a keen interest in form and language are well catered for in the collection. The conversational piece ‘My Name Is’ is one of my favourites. The poem ‘Immortalis’ has a genuine classic poetic feel utilising great language without pastiche or parody. We also have exquisite use of spacing and formatting in ‘Esmerelda’s Gaze’.
Fans of emotionally resonant poetry will love this book. Readers who like to interrogate the past and how it relates to the present will find this book rewarding. Poetics who enjoy defiance and resilience will enjoy this book. It’s a diamond.
Favourite Poem:
I’ve already mentioned ‘Nana’s Card Games’, and ‘My Name Is’. I will add a bumper seven additional poems that have stuck with me this week. ‘Melting’, ‘Thresholds’, ‘Zephyr’s Lost Winds’ ‘No More Anniversaries’, ‘Names’, ‘Crucifix Port’, and ‘Getting Pierced’.
To find out more about Carmella, click here.
To buy Chasms, click here.
You’ve found your way to the playlist. This week is another eclectic mix.
Massive Attack – Teardrop
Joni Mitchell – A Case of You
Radiohead – Nude
David Bowie – Subterraneans
Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
This Mortal Coil – Song to the Siren
Himzo Polovina – Emina
Tindersticks – Travelling Light
Charles Mingus – Stormy Weather
Sam Smith – Scars
Queen – These Are The Days of Our Lives
Before I Go…
Just want to say a huge congratulations to Dylan Thomas Prize Winner, Sasha Debevec-McKenney. A very deserved winner!
One More Thing…
If you’re into existential poetry, you should reach out to Evie @coastalpoet.bsky.social on BlueSky who is building a community of poets and poems around this. Also check out her #PoemsAloud hashtag and upload some spoken word pieces. I’ll be posting All Of Us Horses on there soon.
And Another…
The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press Ekphrastic Challenge 15 is open until the 7th June. Full details can be found here.
And Finally…
If you’re reading this on the morning of the 16th May you might still have time to get tickets for the launch of Hatchery by Beth Osmond.
Next Week’s Read
- Title: The Way the Water Held Me
- Poet: Catherine Redford
Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you next week.
Paul
Paul Writes Poems 